A site dedicated to providing an objective perspective about various sales tools that benefit independent and captive insurance agents, as well as anybody else who is interested in taking charge of their sales career by optimizing online and offline marketing strategies.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Using Software To Maximize Your Business

I apologize that it has taken me some time to get back with all of you. I'm currently working on a project that has been keeping me busy after business hours and I haven't had time to post any new reviews.

You will notice that I have changed the look of the blog by adding a few links on the right side of my blog. I have used or currently use some of the products. Vista is great for affordable print work and their very competitive and reliable. At the very least their website should give your some ideas about things you can buy to market your agency.

One of the key methods you can employ to protect your business from being stolen by your competitors is to ensure that you explain why you're recommending a particular product, so another agent cannot come in from behind you and steal the account by talking your client into buying an inferior plan. This can and does happen!

Secondly, sending out a monthly or quarterly newsletter is important because it allows your clients to get to know you better, while providing you with a medium to advertise additional services that might benefit your clients. Here' s a small tidbit of information you should think about when drafting a newsletter. Even though I know you LOVE talking about insurance just as much as me, the other 99.9% of the population would rather experience an IRS audit. Do your best to differentiate yourself from the traditional agent by adding "value" to your by thinking outside the box. The key is to find a way to write a quality publication that your readers look forward to receiving and want to share with their friends a family. Here is an example newsletter that one of my friends send his clients. You'll notice that Al actually tries to engage his readers in a conversational way vs. the standard clinical, "Insurance rates are going up in 2 months, so you should feel fortunate to have bought a policy from me XXXX months of ago" newsletters I have read.

I'm obsessed with macaroni and cheese and once included a recipe for the best Mac' N ' Cheese I have had the privilege to eat. You definitely don't' want to eat it every week, but oh man is it good! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. If you're interested in the recipe follow this link. I like to add some Maryland crab meat or clams to the dish, and put in half a cup of sour cream. Let me know what you think of the recipe if you try it out. It goes great with a nice steak (medium rare please).

I'm almost finished with my latest book and I cannot wait to share it with you. It's not your traditional sales books per say, but I know you'll find it useful and can use the material to increase the effectiveness of your sales and keep yourself positive.